This year, in keeping with the holiday tradition of years past, the Department of Public Works adopted two local families in need through the Pacifica Resource Center.

Through the generosity of the department both families will enjoy a special holiday with the gifts that were purchased for them. Additionally, this year’s Toys for Tots program was a huge success. Special thanks goes out to the families of Vallemar School and Alma Heights Christian Academy for their generous donations and effort in helping this program be successful.

We all feel very good that we are able to make a difference and help other families that are in need and we hope to continue this practice for years to come.

Violent police encounters in California last year led to the deaths of 157 people and six officers, the state attorney general’s office said Thursday in a report that provides the first statewide tally on police use-of-force incidents.